Kubiak retained, Bush and several assistants gone
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/7363893.html
Highlighted what I think is notable.
When making his decision to bring back coach Gary Kubiak despite a horrible 6-10 record, owner Bob McNair took into consideration an offense that has ranked among the best in the NFL, the freakish nature of at least five defeats and a strong belief that the 30th-ranked defense can be improved significantly by a new coordinator.
McNair believes improvement by the defense, especially the 32nd-ranked pass defense, will help the Texans improve their record dramatically next season.
“It’s clear the offense isn’t where the problem lies,” McNair said today. “Our defense is in the bottom three. If our defense had just been average, we’d be in the playoffs and out practicing instead of talking.
“This past season was an aberration. I’ve never seen anything like it. Our offense kept some games close enough to win, but we didn’t win enough. I’m not happy about it. I’m angry like everyone else, and we’re not going to put up with another season like this one.
“I think we’re not that far from being a good team, but there’s no question we’ve got to do something about our defense. We’re going to be a good team, and it’s not going to take as much as people think.
“I know we can’t win all the time, but I always want to be close enough at the finish line where we can win our share.”
Kubiak fired four defensive coaches – coordinator Frank Bush, linebackers coach Johnny Holland, secondary coach David Gibbs and assistant linebackers coach Robert Saleh.
Kubiak said he wants to compile a list of defensive coordinator candidates as early as tonight and start the interview process as soon as possible.
He admitted that Wade Phillips will be a candidate.
McNair wants Kubiak to hire a defensive coordinator with a proven track record.
“We need somebody who’s been there and done it, and there’s less risk,” McNair said. “When you bring somebody in who hasn’t done it (called defenses), you don’t know how they’re going to do. I don’t want to take that risk again.”
Kubiak plans to interview Phillips.
"I will be talking to people (candidates) as soon as I can," Kubiak said. "I've known Wade a long time. I've competed against him. I have a lot of respect for him. I think it's safe to say that Wade will be a candidate."
Kubiak said he will have no reservations about switching to a 3-4 scheme if that's what the new defensive coordinator wants to play."It doesn't matter because we have to get the best guy, and if that's what he thinks is best for our team, that's fine with me," Kubiak said. "It's all about getting the right guy and doing what's best for the team."
Kubiak said he has to sell the Texans to the new defensive coordinator and allow him to bring in the assistant coaches he wants. Kubiak said he wants the new defensive coordinator to tell him what he wants as far as assistants and players, and it'll be the Texans' job to get them for him.
As the losses mounted and speculation began that Kubiak would be fired, his players came to his defense. McNair was aware of their feelings for their head coach.
“It’s not based on what they said,” McNair said about players wanting Kubiak to return. “I knew they respected him. I could see that in the locker room and at practice and the way they listen to him. One of his strengths is the way he relates to his players. He doesn’t play favorites and treats them fairly.
“I believe in Gary. I believe he’s the coach to help us get where we want to go (playoffs).”
Kubiak said it was tough to get excited about returning for a sixth year after he had to fire four coaches who were his friends.
"It's been a brutal day," Kubiak said about the firings, "but I appreciate Bob's confidence in me.
"I work for a great owner who believes in me. I don't want to let him down. I want to make him proud."